Euthanasia: for or against?

[Amandistan]

I ask this now because i just read a story about it being legal in Belgium and now they are getting to the point where they allow people who are not terminally ill to die.


This story below disgusts me. This is a 24 year old suffering from depression, Instead of getting her treatment or finding new methods of treatment. they are going to kill her.  She is not terminally ill and she is not going to die soon. She has not pulled the trigger herself meaning she really does not want to die.
 

http://zeenews.india.com/news/health/health-news/right-to-die-belgian-doctors-grant-euthanasia-to-24-year-old-depressed-woman_1624576.html

My question is, Are you disturbed by this?  They can't kill murders but they can do this? How is this not murder?

This is very disturbing and upsetting to me.
How on earth is this an advanced country  if they do this sort of thing?

[Pim]

Everybody has the right to decide to live or die and by allowing euthanasia you will have less people throwing themselfs of off buildings, infront of trains and all other horrible shit that traumatizes people that don't have anything to do with you. So not pulling the trigger yourself doesn't mean you don't wanna die, maybe just don't wanna make a mess.

[Master Ray]

There's a world of difference between a depressed 20-something and someone with a long term, terrible and unsurmountable illness...

Imagine if you can't breathe for yourself, swallow by yourself, you're tied to a bleeping machine that controls your every movement and shit yourself repeatedly every single day.  You're not even able to hug or speak to your loved ones.  Just sit there and watch them being upset by your suffering and, when they're out of the room, just having to look at a wall because that's all you're capable of doing.

I defy anyone to put up an argument against something this dreadful.  Euthanasia?  Fcuk yeah.  It's a merciful thing.

[wychbury]

I agree with Pim. Everyone should have the right to decide whether to live or to die. This person has been able to convince a panel of doctors that euthanasia is the right option for her; that burden of proof is very high and the discussions around treatment will have been had a great length.

I have less concen about an apparently rational woman making this decision of her own choice than I do about elderly people being "co-erced" into this by uncaring relatives.

Given that she has attempted to take her life on a number of occasions, would you feel less disturbed and less upset if she had ended her life in a more "traditional" manner?

[Shush]

I agree people should have the right to choose for themselves. That said, one thing that has always concerned me, if we had legalised euthanasia, are people who are severely handicapped who may already feel as though they are a great burden to their families and the NHS, are they going to feel compelled to opt for euthanasia ?

[Amandistan]

It would not make it any better, no. It's still a loss of life.
i think very ill people who are suffering should be allowed but this does not seem right to me.

[ldopas]

I agree with Pim. Everyone should have the right to decide whether to live or to die. This person has been able to convince a panel of doctors that euthanasia is the right option for her; that burden of proof is very high and the discussions around treatment will have been had a great length.

I have less concen about an apparently rational woman making this decision of her own choice than I do about elderly people being "co-erced" into this by uncaring relatives.

Given that she has attempted to take her life on a number of occasions, would you feel less disturbed and less upset if she had ended her life in a more "traditional" manner?

Haven't you contradicted yourself here? 

How can she be an "apparently rational woman making this decision of her own choice", when you say "she has attempted to take her life on a number of occasions".

That in my world fails the rationality test. Trying to repeatedly kill yourself, and wanting voluntary euthanasia at 24 tells me that she is NOT rational and needs help, not killing.

I totally agree with Amanda on this one.

[Master Ray]

It would not make it any better, no. It's still a loss of life.
i think very ill people who are suffering should be allowed but this does not seem right to me.

But where EXACTLY do you draw the line, A?

[ldopas]

It would not make it any better, no. It's still a loss of life.
i think very ill people who are suffering should be allowed but this does not seem right to me.

But where EXACTLY do you draw the line, A?

Can I butt in an answer?

Whilst this is tricky I can have a go. It should be for people who physically have no hope of survival, and their physical deterioration will involve huge pain.

If we start saying people who mentally have problems should be killed, where in gods name do you stop? Mentally ill, disabled, people who "don't think like the rest of us do"?

[Pol]

I'm with ray people should be able to decide for themselves and of course with certain strict rules Just why the fck should people with say terminal cancer who only have a few days left be made to stick it out to the bitter end When you have to get a pet put down they say its the humane thing to do yet people have to suffer slow undignified deaths every day

[Master Ray]

My VERY worst fear, far more than dying, is becoming sick and helpless...

[Bever]

I'm Belgian. I'm proud to be. And yes, I'd like to think of Belgium as an advanced country. Yes, we allow euthanasia. In special cases we even allow euthanasia for underaged. To me, having the freedom to chose what to do with your own life, and being able to end it in a clean way, just proves how advanced a country we are.

Sure, the 24 year old Laura makes for some shocking headlines in foreign newspapers. But this goes way deeper than that. I was unaware of this particular case, but took the time to read up on it (https://storminjehoofd.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/het-monster-in-mij-wordt-alleen-maar-groter.pdf). This girl never wanted to live. Starting at the age of three she knew she didn't want to live.

And it's not like she can just walk into a doctor's office and ask to be killed. You need to have tried all treatment. Then you need to have approval from three different doctors. You need to convince all three of them. It's a lengthy process. A year, a year and a half. Plenty of time to reconsider. And then, if you are really sure, we will help you die in a very human way.

So no, I'm not disturbed. I'm proud.

[Spudthemariner]

(Quote)
Can I butt in an answer?

Whilst this is tricky I can have a go. It should be for people who physically have no hope of survival, and their physical deterioration will involve huge pain.

If we start saying people who mentally have problems should be killed, where in gods name do you stop? Mentally ill, disabled, people who "don't think like the rest of us do"?
[/quote]

Okay, so where would you stand on say, a person who was previously very physical/involed in the arts of some kind maybe, who through illness or accident finds themselves paralysed and never able to do any off the things previously able to again. Said person may not be in pain and could potentially live for a long time, and yet, it could be utter torment mentally for the patient.

My basic thoughts are that the mechanics should be in place for Euthanasia, but it should be on a case by case basis. To restrict it to certain cases is potentially cruel, and of course to just open it up leaves it open to abuse.
Its a legal minefield and as such I can understand why polititians etc want to keep it at arms length, but I do think that say in Belgium, that they seem to have the balance right. As Bever said, its a great headline (and yeah, I was a little shocked when I first read it), but as ever, the actual story is far more complex...

[Amandistan]

From personal experience  I wanted to die as a little kid,tried to end my life at 15 but am glad to be alive. She is only 24 so could regret it.  They need to find what caused and get to the root of the problem. Not give up on her.   

This is no better than the death penalty accept actually murders are put to death.
I can't agree with assisted suicide. Perhaps it's because my family was strict catholics and am still probably a bit brainwashed about such things.

It said she had supportive grandparents, how do you think they feel?  Her name is being kept secret so they won't know or have anyway to help her.

Some Europeans say America is backwards because we have the death penalty but this is not much better.   

[Bever]

From personal experience  I wanted to die as a little kid,tried to end my life at 15 but am glad to be alive. She is only 24 so could regret it.  They need to find what caused and get to the root of the problem. Not give up on her.

They tried. For years. I can't blame you for not reading the full article I posted as it is in Dutch. It will provide you with a lot of background information, not just the sensational summary. This girl is suffering on a daily basis. Mentally. She wants to die. 3 doctors agree that it is ok. So either she does it herself with all risks involved. Or it is done properly.

You compare this to the death penalty. I can't believe I'm reading this... This woman WANTS TO DIE.

You think you are brainwashed by your catholic family. Well, I can confirm.